Electrical switch



Aug. 25, 1942. .1. F. o'BRlEN v 2,293,752

ELEGTRICAL swITcH .Filed oct. 526, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug.

'.J. F. o'BRlEN Y mmrclu. swrrcn 'Filed ou; '26, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 2 Rw wn n ...w n Wo. o -EQ ...n

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B |m 2U Patented Aug. 1942 Joseph F. OBrien, Jersey City, N. I., assignor to John B. Pierce Foundation, NewYork,` N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application October Z6, 1939, Serial No. 301,345

Claims.. (Cl. 20o-167) The present invention relates to improved electric switches employing liquid contact circuit closers. t

-A feature of the invention is the provision of a suitable closer embodying suitable liquid for controlling an electrical current and suitable meansfor displacing the closer in continuous direction for positively eiecting successive stages of closing and opening the electrical current.

An advantage resulting from this feature is that the electric switch maybe operated by means of a single manipulatingelement such as' a push button, to effect successive closing and opening of the electrical circuit.

A further feature, adapted particularly for embodiments of the invention wherein the casing of the closer is substantially cylindrical in crosssection yand is displaced rotatively, resides in rotating the closer at successive stages of circuitclosing and circuit opening by means of a drag link or equivalent carried by a slide provided with suitable means for insuring positive rotational displacement of predetermined extent, and precluding overthrow or underfeed of the operated parts.

The stated features of the invention enable an operating chain in lieu of a, push button, to be employed as the manipulating element, while insuring certainty of operation. f

The structural assembly/ of preferred embodiments of the invention, further comprises operating parts which may be variantly arranged in relative position to afford installation of the electric switch in positions of use at right angles A 'to one another, notwithstanding that a liquid medium, such as mercury, serves as the eiective circuit closing and opening agent.

In the instances of use where any embodiment of the invention is operated by means of a single manipulating device,'either as a remote circuit controlling switch or for controlling illumination or the like, it is advantageous to associate with and adjacent the switch a miniature lamp such as a low wattage neon lamp, or equivalent, to indicate visually the respective stages of circuitclosing and circuit-opening. Indicia rendered effective during the stage of lighting of such indicating lamp, or equivalent, may also be employed.`

Embodiments of the) invention may be employed as s o-termed wall switches for general control of electrical current, switches for controlling apparatus such as industrial, household and like machines and other appliances, and also as elements of and serving as the current control switch of seriatim connected sectional conduit systems certain units of which are provided with outlets, such as is disclosed in the co-pending application Serial No. 286,734, led July 27, 1939, entitled Electrical unit.

The invention comprises an improved assemblyA of operating parts associated with a casing or equivalent containing the mercury or other liquid circuit-controlling medium, as appearsmore fully hereinafter.

, Further features'and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detail description and the accompanying drawings, in which: i Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred type .of embodiment of the invention. f

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional eleva;-

tional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, on -a' somewhat enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is atop plan view of Fig. 1, the cover being removed; the scale of Fig.v 3f corresponds to that of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover, shown in Fig. 2 and omitted in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 5-'5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevational view on line 6--6 of Fig. 2, on a somewhat enlarged scale.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view illustrating in per-4 spective view the closer in opened position, the mercury or liquid being omitted,l members for rotatively mounting the closer, and parts of -the electrical conductors and their respective contact elements.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational. view of the interior of a room of a building structure, indicating two modes of application of the invention. At the right, the electric switch is installed at the front ledgeof a work table. At the left, the electric switch is shown positioned adjacent the frame of a door opening.

Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal. sectional view corresponding to Fig. 6, but illustrating certain operating parts in variant mutual arrangement to afford installation of the electric switch at relative right angled positions, corresponding respectively to the right hand and left hand illustrated uses indicated in Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 6, thel type of embodiment of the invention illustrated therein is applicable to the fields of use in which the operating plunger t0 is displaced by substantially l horizontal movement. An illustration of such use is indicated in Fig. 8. wherein the electrical switch is shown installed at a side of a work bench, sewing table, kitchen table or the like.

Such type. of embodiment,` indicated in Figures 1 through 6, comprises a casing which may be, and desirably is, Wholly of electrical insulating material, such as molded plastic. As shown, the casing comprises a body portion I'I, including a base part IIa, opposite lateral walls Ilb,

IIb', and opposite end walls Ilc, llc'.` The cover of the body II is indicated Il Id.

Desirably, and as shown, the hollow interior of the casing Il is divided by a septum I2 to provide a compartment I3 in which an indicating lamp |4 may be disposedand a compartment I5 in which is disposed a switch operating mechanism, described more fully hereinafter. Advantageously, the septum I2 is molded integrally with the base part ||a and the opposing lateral walls IIb, IIb'.

An opening I6 is formed in the cover lid for receiving the plunger |0, and deslrably also for guiding the path of movement of the plunger l0. To facilitate visual perception of the illumination 4afforded by the indicating lamp I4 when lighted, the cover ||d may be provided also with an opening I1, ypreferably shielded by a plate I8 of translucent material. Such arrangement is of advantage to effectually close the casing when the cover is in position, and to enable the use of opaque material for the cover.

Suitable provision is made for securing the casing to a suitable support; such provision of means is shown in the drawings by openings I'9, 20, shown disposed at or adjacent the ends of the casing II, for receiving screws or like fastening elements. Specifically; the opening I9 is shown located in the top wall of a hollow extension |9a of the casing II, shown open at an end and at its bottom. Specically, the opening 20 is shown located in the top wall of a hollow extension 20a of the casing |I, shown open at its bottom.

As appears from Fig. 1 screws I9', 20', passing through the openings I9, 20, secure the circuit closer to a suitable support (not shown). Specifcally, Fig. 1 indicates the casing |I secured in position not only with respect to a suitable support, but` illustrates the same mechanically and electrically interconnected seriatim With contiguous units IIA, IIB of a sectional conduit system, referred to more fully hereinafter.V

The liquid contact circuit closer 2|', see Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, containing the mercury, 2| m, may be of conventional construction; as shown it comprises pressed metal half parts of opposite hand 2|a, 2|b, see Fig. 3, sealingly joined on opposite sides to a central insulating diaphragm, such as vitreous or other electrical non-conducting material. As appears more fully hereinafter, the circuit closer 2| is operated to rotate about a horizontal axis passing through the central axis of its stated two metal parts, the diaphragm being provided with a transversely extending recess 2I' ata predetermined position of its rotation, whereby electrical connection is afforded through such recess by the mercury from metal part to metal part of the circuit closer when the same is at a predetermined stage of its rotation.

Suitable means are provided for positive control of the` rotation of the circuit closer 2|, such as per the association of a cup-like member 2|d, secured to an end of the stub shaft 22, the inner face of the cup member having a feather 2|e formed by pressing the metal flange of the cup member 2|d, which cooperates with a correspondingly grooved indentation or the like, formed in the metal circular periphery of the circuit closer part 2| a.

The shaft 22 is suitably secured to the cup member 2|d, as by a rivet. 2|d', the round head of which is received within the rounded indentation 2|q., see Fig. 5, as also Fig. 7, of the metal part 2|a. A pinion 23 is frictionally or otherwise secured to ,the shaft 22, and the outer end of the shaft 22 is spring pressed and in electrical connection with the contact finger 24, soldered or otherwise secured to the electrical conductor part 25. The circular indentation 2| b receives the circular indentation 26 to serve as a rotary bearing. 'Ihe indentation 26 is formed in the otherwise nat cross-over 26 of a metal yoke,

one leg 21 of which, see Fig. '1 and Fig. 3, and compare with Fig. 2, has a right-angle extension 21', the terminus of which is adapted to be received within the electrical terminal clip 28, soldered or otherwise secured to the electrical conductor part 29.

The other leg of the stated metal yoke is designated 30, and its right angled extension 30' is of less length than the stated therewith parallel leg 21'.

The inner faces of the opposing lateral walls IIb and IIb' of the casing are recessed, or molded to be recessed to retain the legs 21, 30.

of the yoke. the spring contact 24 passing through a recess I Ia in the outer face of the base I Ia of the casing I |,Gsuch recess affording access to the electrical conductor 25. The free end of the stud shaft 22 carrying the pinion 23, see Figs. 5 and 2, projects through an opening Ila" in the base IIa, to engagethe spring contact 24. The pinion 23 is thus disposed in a Plane parallel to -but spaced from the inner face of the base I Ia of the casing.

Meshing with the pinion 23 is a gear 3| having, say a 2 tov 1 ratio with respect to the pinion 23; the gear 3| is mounted on a stud shaft one, end 3|`a of which is received in a recess in the inner face of the base Ila; the opposite end 3|b of such shaft passes through an opening 32a in the mounting and retaining plate 32, of fibre board or other electrically insulating material.

Suitable means are provided for positively operating the drivingr gear 3| to insure a predetermined travel of the circuit closer 2| and precluding overtravel and undertraveLl Applicable to the specific construction of the illustrated circuit closer 2|, an angular rotation of 180 degrees from circuit closing to circuit opening stage and conversely, corresponding to such gear ratio of 2 to 1 of the driving gear 2| relative to the driven gear23, the gear 3| may be provided with pins 33, set at angular degrees, with which a drag link 34 is associated, the pawl portion 34a of which at the beginning of a stroke positively engages a pin 33. Positive motion to the drag link 34 is suitably imparted,

as by means of the` reciprocated plate 35, suit-A ably operated by the push button I0 or equivalent.

To afford relative motion of the drag link 34, due to the arcuate movement of the.engaged pin 33 while maintaining positive mechanical connection of the pawl 34a with such engaged pin 33, the drag link 34 is connected with the reciprocated plate 35 by a suitable lost motion connection, shown as a slot 34h formed in the link 34 and a headed retainer pin 35a secured to the plate 35, combined with a spring 36, the xed end of which is secured to the link 34 and its free end resillently engaging the upturned lip 35d, formed atthe edge of the plate. For

simplicity of assembly, the plate 3l is'reciprocatively mounted in the slide grooves 31, 31, formed or molded in the basepart lla or the V leasing".`

To positively .preclude overthrow or underfeed of the driving gear 3l, at each stage of reciprocation of plate 35, the latter is provided with a centrally pointed or equivalent extension 35h, tapered in correspondence tothe angular spacing between successive pins 33, cooperating with'an urging spring 33. the fixed end portion 38a of which is secured against the inner face of the end wall llc of the casing ll, as in a recess therein, and its free end portion 38h engages the end of the plate 35.

As a simple assembly in association with the push button I for reciprocation of the plate 35,

there is provided a bell-crank member 39, the upper leg of which is rotatively received in the recess Na formed in the base of the push button Il,see Fig. 2, its lower leg slidingly received in guided inv its reciprocation, as by its oppositely projecting extensions Ill,` lib, riding. in suitable guiding' recesses formed in the inner faces of the lateral walls, Hb, lib', of the casing Il.

The arrangement above described-and illustrated in Flgs.- 1 through?, provides for rota- I tional movement of the circuit closer. about a horizontal axis, the mercury 2 lm subject to gravitational action remaining in the lower zone of the interior of the circuit closer 2 I and effecting v circuit closing when the recess 2 l' attains' lowermost position. Such arrangement positions the push button Il, see right hand portion of Fig. 8,

to extend horizontallyrelative to the casing Il, convenientfor use, 'as when mounted, as at or near the lledge of a work table Il. or the-like.

In such mode of use, ,the direction of length of the casing Il extends horizontally.

'I'he invention aords modes of use .at right angles to that above particularly described, namely the installation of the casing Il in the direction of its length extending vertically, viz,

the slot 35a formed in the reciprocated plate 35. v

The bell-crank member 39, as shown, is pivotally mounted by means of its stud extension 39a, re-

as indicated at the left hand portion of Fig. 8. To effect operability of the circuit closer for such change of position, compare Fig. 9 with 6,

. the circuit closer 2l is set'for circuit closing powith respect tothe electrical conductor parts 25,

29; the electrical conductor of opposite polarity or phase is designated 40.

Such conductor parts 25, 29 and the opposite conductor may be mounted, as shown, in suitable grooves formed in the underside of the insulating base part lla and -retained in position by screws or the like by a sub-base Ile, see

Fig. 5, which is formed with registering grooves.

While the electric conductors t0, 25-29 are shown hollow it is apparent for the purposes above described, the conductors may be solid,

i. e., bars, plates, strips, wire, etc.

The assembly of the specific parts above referred to will be largely apparent. It will sulce to add that upon positioning the opposing electrical conductors as described, one end of the stud shaft 22 is dropped in bearing position within the opening lla, see Fig. 5, its -free end Vengaging the spring contact 2d, secured to the conductor part 25; the end `3la of the shaft of gear 3i is placed in its bearing recess, see Fig. 2, and gear 3| placed in mesh with the smaller gear 23, secured to the already positioned stud shaft 22. Then the circuit closer 2l is placed with part 2la received within the cup member 2Id carried by the shaft 22. Thereafter the plate 35 and its 'urging spring 38 are located. Then the retaining bre plate 32 is positioned within the casing, its bearing opening 32a passing about the shaft end 3lbof the gear 3l, after which the yoke is inserted, then the bell-crank` 39 slid in position and the push button placed upon the upper leg of the bell-crank. VThe cover Hd is then secured to the casing ll. metal, s'uch as phosphor-bronze to afford a degree of exing when the cover is secured in position.

Preferably as shown, the push button is self- The yokeis desirably of spring sition by a rotation to the extent of angular degrees; positive control is insured by the orperating parts assembledsimilarly as above described with respect to Figs. l through 6.

Advantageously, yand as indicated in Figs. l

.and 8, the electric switch is a unit of seriatim connected umts, certain of which units are provided with outlets indicated at 42, adapted for affording electrical connection by insertion of electrical plugs. Such type of seriatim connected units is described in the copending applic-ation above identied, characteristics of such units residing in the conjoint mechanical and electrical interconnection of the respective units by suitable metalpins 43 or other liaison electrical connecting means respectively connecting the'terminals of the electrical conductors of like polarity or phase of the successive units. For such or other purposes, tubular conductors or conductors having tubular or socketed ends arev advantageous.

As appears from the above, the improved electrical switch is applicable for general uses for controlling electrical circuits. In the circumstance that the electric switch serves tocontrol electrical. apparatus remote from the location of the electric switch an indicating lamp may serve as a tell-tale; the terminals of the tell-tale lamp may be connected in multiple with respect to the electrical conductorsextending from the electric switch tothe electrical apparatus. In other circumstances, such indicating lamp may serve as a beacon, as for example in uses where the electric switch controls the illumination of a room in which the electric switch is lo'cated andfor other modes of use, where its presence isindicated by such beacon lamp. In the latter modes of use, the electrical terminals of the beacon lamp are connected in series with the electrical conductors extending from the electrical source to the electric switch, as Will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The present day neon lamp of low wattage is a desirable type of indicating lamp; a characteristic, however, of such neon lamp when energized by direct current, is that its lament is divided into.two sections, one section only of which at any'given time is the illuminating section. In view of such low luminosity of the lighted filainner face and desirably integral with the cover Hd of the casing. To such lugs 45 is secured a U-shaped metal cross member 46, or equivalent, the peripheral edge of its central opening being spirally offset, as indicated at 46', I6', etc., see Fig. 2, serving as incomplete screw threads adapted to receive the screw threaded base Ha of the indicatinglamp Il. One end 46h of such metal cross member is provided with a knife edge portion lic, see Fig. 4, which is adapted to be received within the electrical clip terminal 29a, connected as by solder or otherwise to the electrical conductor 29, see Fig. 3. To complete the circuit as in parallel relationship, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the central terminal Hb of the lamp is irictionally and resiliently engaged by a spring terminal 4l, the base of which may be secured by a screw, as indicated, to the inner vface of the cover lid; such base is provided with an angular extension 41a serving as an electrical terminal adapted to be received within the clip terminal I8, soldered or otherwise electrically connected with the conductor' 40. The resiliency of the electric terminal Il aiords turning of the indicating lamp Il through an arc, say of 180 angular degrees while maintaining effective electrical contact therewith, thus affording rotational setting of the lighted portion of the filament of a neon or like lamp.

It will be observed that the mounting of the 'indicating lamp upon the reverse face of the cover of the casing enables the lamp to be removed automatically upon removal of the cover from the casing, thus aiordingl ready adjust- `ment, inspection, repair and replacement; such positioning also locates the body of the lamp closely adjacent to the observation opening l1 of the casing. l

Whereas, I have,described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

' including a movable element, said casing being provided at opposite inner faces with open ended slots for removably receiving and supporting said circuit closer, l gearing means for moving said movable element of said circuit closer, said gearing including shafts for supporting the same, said casing having recesses for rotatably supporting said shafts, reciprocable means for actuating said gearing, said reciprocable means including a manually displaceable element having oppositely directed extensions, said. casing having at its opposite inner faces open ended recesses for receiving and guiding said extensions and a cover for closing said casing forsecuring in position and within the casing said circuit closer and said gearing shafts and said extensions, said cover being provided with a perforation through which extends said manually displaceable element.

3. The combination" of a casing, a circuit closer including a movable element, said casing being provided at opposite inner faces with open ended slots for removably receiving and supporting said circuit closer, gearing means for operating said circuit closer, `said gearing means including shafts for supporting thesame, said casing having recesses for rotatably supporting said shafts, 'reciprocable means for actuating said gearing, said reciprocable means including a manually dis# placeable element having oppositely directed extensions, said casing having at its opposite inner faces open ended recesses for receiving and guiding said extensions, and means for positively predetermining the extent of movement of said movable element of said circuit closer, said positively predetermining means including a reciprocable element cooperating with said gearing.

4. The combination of a casing, a circuit closer including a movable element, said casing being l. In an electrical control switch, a casing, a.

cuit closer, said gearing means including-a gear.

adjustably connected with said circuit closer to afford variant operative positioning of the casing, said casing being provided with an opening, a single manipulatable rigid element mounted in said opening for positively actuating said gearing means, said gearing means having shafts for rotatably supporting the same, said casing being provided with recesses for receiving said shafts, means for predetermining the extent of rotation of said circuit closer operable conjointly with said actuating means, and a lamp mounted on the inner side of the cover of the casing for indicating circuit opening and circuit closing stages of said circuit closer.

2. The combination of a casing, a circuit closer 75 provided at opposite inner faces with open ended slots for removably receiving and supporting said circuit closer, gearing' for v'operating said circuit closer, said gearing including shafts for supporting the same, said casing having recesses for rotatably supporting said shafts, reciprocable means for actuating said gearing, said reciprocable means including a manually displaceable element having oppositely directed extensions, said gearing including an adjustable intermediate gear for controlling the relative positions of circuit closing and circuit opening of said circuitl closer.

5. The combination of a casing, a circuit closer including a movable element, said casing being provided at'opposite inner faces with open ended slots for removably receiving and supporting said circuit closer, gearing means for operating said circuit closer, said casing having recesses for rotatably supporting said shafts, reciprocable means for actuating said gearing, said reciprocable means including a manually displaceable element having oppositely directed extensions, said casing having at its opposite -inner faces open ended recesses for receiving and guiding said extensions, means for positively predetermining the extent of movement of said movable element of said circuit closer, said positively predetermining means including a reciprocable element cooperatin g with said gearing, said gearing including an adjustable intermediate gear for controlling the relative positions of circuit closing and circuit opening of said circuit closer, said adjustable intermediate gearing including a plurality of pins cooperating with said positive predetermining means. JOSEPH F. OBRIEN. 

